Religiosity and resilience: Cognitive reappraisal and coping self-efficacy mediate the link between religious coping and well-being

Qualitative evidence points to the engagement of religious coping strategies when facing adversity, and evidence also highlights the effectiveness of cognitive reappraisal in reducing the impact of distressing emotions on well-being. It has been suggested that religious practices could facilitate the use of reappraisal, by promoting reframing of negative cognitions to alter emotional states. However, the link between religiosity and reappraisal in influencing resilience against symptoms of distress is not known. The current study (N = 203) examined connections among these aspects, using self-reported measures of religious coping, habitual use of specific coping strategies (positive reappraisal) and perceived confidence in using coping strategies, as well as questionnaires assessing symptoms of distress (anxiety and depression). Results point to a mediating role of reappraisal and coping self-efficacy as part of mechanisms that provide a protecting role of religious coping against emotional distress. These results provide novel scientific evidence further validating millennia-old traditional coping practices and shed light on psychological factors influencing adaptive behaviors that promote increased resilience, reduce symptoms of distress, and maintain emotional well-being. These findings inform general counseling practices and counseling of religious clients alike.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2021

Author dc:creator

• Hohl, Kelly

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dolcos, Florin
• Berenbaum, Howard
• Dolcos, Sanda

• emotion regulation
• cognitive control of emotion
• belief
• affect
• emotion-cognition interactions

Statement dc:rights

• A version of this thesis was accepted for publication. Material from: Dolcos, F., Hohl, K., Hu, Y., & S. Dolcos (2020, in press). Religiosity and resilience: Cognitive reappraisal and coping self-efficacy mediate the link between religious coping and well-being. Journal of Religion and Health. Springer Nature.

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/109639

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/109639